This is a rendering of the Collegeville pedestrian bridge that was initially planned near Hudson School. Both that structure and another planned vehicle overpass will be combined and built over Shuttlesworth Drive to give relief to residents boxed inside the neighborhood by trains that serve nearby heavy industries.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Plans for two bridges in Birmingham's Collegeville neighborhood have been consolidated into one structure in a move officials said saves money and streamlines the project.

The $10.1 million project, under the state Department of Transportation's direction, is $2 million less than the original concept for both a pedestrian and a vehicle bridge. ALDOT will pay $8.1 million in a mix of state and federal money, with the city providing $2.03 million in matching money, according to the state contract with the city.

The new construction start date is set for 2013, said Councilwoman Maxine Parker, who represents the area and has long championed the project.

"It's a good thing," Parker said. "As long as it's going to enable the citizens to get in and out of the neighborhood, I'm sure they will embrace the concept."

Collegeville and North Birmingham for decades made up a major industrial center. Homes in the area were built just blocks from the plants where many residents worked. Residents have complained that the trains cut them off from the rest of the city, and present a safety hazard.

Under the modified design, a dual purpose bridge would rise over Shuttlesworth Drive from 29th Avenue North to 32nd Avenue. Originally, the vehicle overpass was over Shuttlesworth Drive while the foot bridge rose near Hudson K-8 School.

A community involvement meeting to outline the changes is set for December 13 at Hudson School.

Councilwoman Maxine Parker (Birmingham News Jeff Roberts, file)

City matching money was promised in the recently approved bond referendum for capital projects. Mayor William Bell included $3.66 million in matching money for vehicle and pedestrian bridges in northern Birmingham. Voters in October approved a total $150 million referendum for city wide projects.

Another major change in the project is ALDOT's direct control over testing and engineering for the bridge. The city had hired private companies to the handle that work.

"Now the project is in the hands of ALDOT," Parker said. "We know that the project will move right along."

Parker late last month led a tour of Collegeville with ALDOT director John Cooper.

"After touring this neighborhood this became a high priority for Mr. Cooper," Parker said.

The changed scope of the work comes after Bell's administration had advocated for a single bridge. That's fine by Parker, she said, as long as the work was streamlined, with one group in charge.

"The really good part of it is I'll be able to check the status of it monthly with the director," she said. "It's a win for the citizens because we do have a firm commitment from the director that the citizens will no longer be trapped in the community."

A 2007 documentary film called ''Trained In'' brought attention to problems with trains in Collegeville. The film was produced by Kevin Garrison and Allison Stagg when they were students at the University of Alabama.

State support arrived during a visit from then-Gov. Bob Riley, when Parker spoke to him about the trains and how they affected the students attending the nearby Hudson School.